The elderly woman's gaze swept over the Shrek group, finally settling on Zhao Wuji. Her hoarse voice carried a hint of scrutiny:
"We discovered this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent first and pursued it all the way here. I request you accommodate us by yielding this serpent to us."
Just as Oscar was about to speak, Zhao Wuji stepped forward and released his Soul Rings.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black!
Seven Soul Rings materialized in the air. The old woman's eyes noticeably sharpened, her composed expression fading slightly as she cursed inwardly.
She had been too focused on the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent earlier and failed to carefully probe this group's Soul Power!
She never expected this seemingly rough-looking man to be a Soul Saint. Moreover, they outnumbered her, making this situation troublesome.
Zhao Wuji crossed his arms and stared at the old woman before him, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Though he didn't recognize her, the serpent-headed staff in her hand stirred his thoughts.
This Martial Soul was the Serpent Staff, most famously wielded on the continent by the elderly couple known as "Peerless Dragon Serpent."
Dragon Duke was a Soul Douluo, while Serpent Woman was a Soul Emperor. Judging by the old woman's Soul Power fluctuations and Martial Soul, she was undoubtedly Serpent Woman.
This elderly couple's Martial Soul Fusion Skill could contend with even a Titled Douluo.
Moreover, the Peerless Dragon Serpent pair were deeply devoted and never separated. Since Serpent Woman was here, Dragon Duke couldn't be far away.
Realizing this, no matter how unwilling he felt, Zhao Wuji had to temper his demeanor.
The old woman opposite him cleared her throat softly, trying to smooth the wrinkles on her face.
She forced a deliberately gentle expression, her voice much softer than before, and asked tentatively:
"Might I ask, esteemed Soul Saint, who you are?"
"Zhao Wuji."
Zhao Wuji kept his arms crossed, his tone not particularly warm but carrying a subtle moderation compared to his usual demeanor.
After all, she was one of the long-renowned "Peerless Dragon Serpent," so he had to show some respect.
Hearing the name "Zhao Wuji," Chao Tianxiang's heart skipped a beat, her eyelids twitching violently as she inwardly groaned.
How could she not have heard of the infamous "Bear Blind Man" Zhao Wuji?
Back when he was still a Soul Emperor, this man had dared to single-handedly provoke a Spirit Hall bishop, causing an uproar throughout the city, and somehow managed to escape unscathed!
It was that very battle that earned him the title "Immovable King."
This Bear Blind Man was notorious for his unreasonable ferocity and terrifyingly solid strength.
This was trouble.
If her old man were here, she wouldn't fear this Bear Blind Man, but right now, her husband wasn't present!
Although she had just signaled for her old man, it would still take him some time to arrive!
At this thought, the old woman's desire to seize the Soul Ring instantly vanished.
She had no intention of clashing head-on with this scourge over a mere Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent:
"So it's the Immovable King!"
The old woman's face broke into an even more enthusiastic smile, her tone filled with feigned "sudden realization."
"I was just thinking how rare it is to see such a young Soul Saint. I never imagined it would be you. This old woman has been careless with her eyes."
Listening to her words, Zhao Wuji felt a chill run down his spine.
His title "Immovable King" was clearly an infamous name earned through bloody battles in the Soul Master World back in the day, so why did it sound like praise coming from this old woman's mouth?
But since the other party maintained such a humble attitude, he couldn't be too cold either. He cupped his hands and asked with feigned friendliness:
"May I ask if you are Senior Serpent Woman of the Peerless Dragon Serpent?"
Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Chao Tianxiang's eyes before she calmly nodded and smiled:
"I'm flattered by the recognition from friends in the Soul Master World, who granted me the title of Serpent Woman. My husband is Meng Shu, known as Dragon Duke!"
"We came to the Star Dou Great Forest this time to find a suitable third Soul Ring for our granddaughter!"
When mentioning "Peerless Dragon Serpent," her face finally revealed some of the confidence befitting an established expert.
"This Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent was first discovered by my granddaughter and me. It's all my fault for being careless, allowing this wretched creature to escape!"
Chao Tianxiang sighed while looking at the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent, her tone carrying some regret.
"My granddaughter and I chased it all the way here, never expecting to run into you, Immovable King. What a coincidence."
Her words were meant to evoke sympathy, but Oscar snorted dismissively upon hearing them. Pointing at the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent on the ground, he retorted bluntly:
"You say you discovered it first, so it's yours?"
"I could say we discovered it first too! And even if you really saw it first, so what?"
"Who doesn't know the rules of the Star Dou Great Forest?" Oscar grew more self-righteous as he spoke.
"All Soul Beasts are ownerless! What matters is strength - whoever has the capability to capture it has the right to possess it!"
"We worked hard to subdue it, so this Soul Ring naturally belongs to us!"
Meng Yiran, who had been suppressing her anger, exploded upon hearing Oscar's words:
"Nonsense! We chased it for half a day! If we hadn't exhausted the nutrients in its crest, would you have caught it so easily?"
Just as Oscar was about to say more, Zhao Wuji stepped forward:
"Oscar, shut up!"
Before Zhao Wuji could continue, the old woman smiled slightly:
"Don't be agitated, young friend. We have evidence for our claim - there are marks on the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's abdomen from my Serpent Staff. That's the proof!"
Hearing this, Oscar quickly checked the area the old woman mentioned and indeed found several marks there.
"Elder sister, if we didn't need this Soul Beast, we'd let you have this Soul Ring. But I have a young man here who needs this Soul Ring to break through to Soul Elder!"
Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang looked at Ning Rongrong and the others behind Zhao Wuji.
These youngsters appeared to be less than fifteen years old - how could they possibly be about to break through to Soul Elder!
"Brother Zhao, don't joke. These children look under fifteen. How could they need this Soul Ring?"
"Elder sister, I'm not joking. My disciple here just recently broke through to the thirtieth level!"
Zhao Wuji signaled Oscar to release his Soul Power. After observing it, Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang confirmed it was indeed the thirtieth level.
"Truly, heroes emerge from among the youth. In that case, Brother Zhao, let's follow the rules of the Soul Master World!"
"My granddaughter has also reached the thirtieth level. Let the two children compete - whoever wins gets the Soul Ring!"
Zhao Wuji glanced at Oscar, then at the Serpent Woman's granddaughter, and spread his hands helplessly:
"Old sister, this really won't do. My disciple here is a support-type Soul Master - he's not suited for direct participation in Soul Duels!"
"Your granddaughter is clearly an assault-type. If they were to truly fight, wouldn't that be equivalent to handing the Soul Ring directly to you?"
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